The Lipscomb Football Chronicles
Compiled by Coach Tim Taylor
The 1990's were a great decade for the Mustang Program. Prior to 1990, Lipscomb had 1 playoff season (1988) in the entire history of the program. The Mustangs were playoff participants in 9 of the 10 seasons of this decade.
1990 saw a Mustang squad with a deep group of seniors post a 10-2 mark and advance 2 rounds into the playoffs. A highlite of the season was a big win over Tullahoma to put the Mustangs in the playoffs. 2 members of the 1990 team-Steven Bowen and Daniel Spann continued their careers at Tennessee Tech.
The 1991 season brought about an 8-4 record. The Mustangs had a hard fought game with Fairview in the first round ofthe playoffs before being eliminated by Springfield in round 2.
1992 season saw the 2 year streak in the playoffs come to an end. Lipscomb had a heartbreaking loss to Goodpasture in the final game to knock them out of the playoff picture. The Mustangs closed out the season with a 6-5 record by facing Grundy County in the Walking Horse Bowl.
1993 began a streak of playoff appearances for the Mustangs that have continued until the present. The Mustangs posted an 8-3 record. A fourth quarter collapse against Martin Westview ended the season in the 2nd round.
The Mustangs achieved several milestones during the 1994 season. They had their first undefeated season, their first state championship and a season that Mustang fans will never forget. After a 10-0 regular season, the Mustangs faced a tough road through the playoffs. They survived a 7-0 game with Huntingdon in the second round. They traveled to Milan for a semi-final match-up. Milan hit a bomb to the tight end on the first play from scrimmage to take an early lead. Lipscomb battled back to take the lead. Milan marched the ball down near the end zone late in the game, but Shane Pharr knocked down a 4th down pass in the end zone to secure the win. The Mustangs then outmatched Harriman, 42-0 to cap a perfect season. The were many great players on the 94 team. Rob Copeland (LB,FB), Melvin Evans (LB,HB), Sloan Burton (QB), along with linemen Brandon Glass, John Helton, and Luke Queen led a very talented group of players.
The Mustangs continued their winning ways in 1995 with a 12-2 season. Seniors Sloan Burton, Andrew Stewart, Doug McDuffee and Will Staggs manned the skill positions behind a line that was depleted by graduation. The winning streak was extended to 24 games before coming to an end at Goodpasture during week 10. The Mustangs advanced to the semi-finals before seeing their season end with the second loss of the year at Goodpasture.
1996 found the Mustangs posting a 9-3 record. Another strong group of seniors, including Stewart Curcio, David Karkau, Brent Morris, Brian Gentry, Jacob Winkler and Andy Irons were the catalysts for another big year. An 8-2 season was followed by another trip to the playoffs. The Mustangs season ended with a loss in the "mud bowl" to Huntingdon in the second round of the playoffs.
1997 was a fantastic year in which the Mustangs exceeded the expectations of many. A highlight of the regular season was a big victory on class 4A power Hillsboro. A quarterback Aaron Blankenship scored on a long option play to secure a victory in that game. In round 3 of the playoffs, the Mustangs traveled to Chattanooga Tyner to face a huge and talented team. With Tyner keying on Mustang tailback Jonathan Shaub, halfback Ben Hall scored on 2 long runs to put the Mustangs on top. Tyner had a late drive to notch the victory and end the Mustangs season.
The Mustangs returned to the Clinic Bowl in 1998. A large group of seniors led the Mustangs to a 13-2 season. The Mustangs went 9-1 during the regular season before seeing their hopes for a State title fall short to the hands of Milan. Victories over tradition rich Tyner and Alcoa earned a return to the championship game for the school. An outstanding line led by David Goodfred, Ben Miller had opened many holes for the senior tailback, Jonathan Shaub. Shaub was named Mr. Football of Tennessee, before going on to Vanderbilt as a starting safety for the Commodores.
1he 1999 campaign ended a great decade for Lipscomb football as the Mustangs posted a 10-2 record. Tyner proved to the nemesis again as the season ended during round 2 in Chattanooga. Seniors Luke Smith, Ross Martin and Barrett Thompson were some of the key players for the Mustangs.
Coach Tim Taylor has been a part of the Mustang Coaching staff since the mid 1980's and currently serves as the offensive line coach and coordinates the Junior Varsity Football Program
The 1998 Season Program cover.
The 1999 Season Program cover.
This
program and the four following provided by the Dick Morris Family
1998 Clinic Bowl Program. Mustangs lost to Milan.
Statue of a Mustang of the late 1990's.
1994 Clinic Bowl Program